Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-07-15
Letter from Washington
WASHINGTON, d. c.,

of the past week having driven every
one who are able to go out Of the city.
The usually crowded hotel rOtundas and
popular promenades are deserted, and
everything is as dull as possible.
The sensation of last week was the ar
rest of Oscar j. Harvey, eX-chief of the
horse claims division of the Treasury
Department, for stealing about twelve
thousand dollars. His mode of opera.
ton was to make out claims for horses
lost during the war in fictitious name,
endorse them as having been proven in
his division, and then forge the names
of the chiefs through whose divisions
they were suppose TO have passed and
| draw the money on them. The fraud
was discovered and Harvey arrested,
and he will probably be railroaded
through TO the penitentiary. He Is a
Republican.
Ex-Congressman Eustace Gibson, Of
West Virginia, delivered an address on
Friday night before the Virginia Dem
ocratic Association. in which he said {:
81 am for Mr.. Cleveland heart and
hand from this time out. The Presi-
dent represents law, order and dccency,
and Democrats are unanimous in his
support. He will be renominated by ac-
clamalion and triumphantly reelected
Mr.. Gibson has heretofore been looked
upon rs I'M anti. Cleveland man, but he,
like the majority Of far-seeing politi-
clans, has fallen into line. 1t is sur
missed that Mr.. Gibson wants 10 return
TO Congress next year.
| 1t is said that Postmaster COnger will
be removed very soon. There have been
innumerable candidates among the Dis
! trict Democrats, but some undiscovered
influence has kept Mr.. Conger in office
so far, but it is now probable that he
will have to gOto make room for DEM
| ocrat.
The President some time ago accepted
an invitation 10 90 TO st. Louis during
the encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic this fall, bat some of the
blatherskites Of that organization hay
ing raised howl over the matter and
declared they would insult him if he
went, he last week wrote Il letter 20 the
Mayor of st. Louis postponing his visit.
In his letter he says that personally he
the dignity of the Presidency does not
allow him TO place himself in position
where such thing would be possible.
While no divinity hedges about our
President, rowdy personal insults to the
executive head of the United States, if
they can be imagined as possible, would
be a national modification, so the Pres
ident will not go.
A letter was received at the Pension
Office last week from a Maine soldier
asking that his name he stricken from
the pension rolls the ground thathe
had recovered his health and needs no
pension. The case was so exceptional
that the Commissioners of Pensions has
written him that his name was worthy
to 60 down TO future generations as a
bright example. | should remark, for
few die and none resign anything "fa"
from the Government.
A great pressure is being brought by
Democrats from all over the country to
have ex-senator Allen G. Thurman. Of
Ohio, accept the Democratic nomination
for Governor of that State. He has so
far declined, even though he gets the
nomination by reclamation, but it is
now thought that he may be prevailed
on to accept. With Thurman as their
candidate the Democrats can carry Ohio
this fall, with the chances iC favor of
carrying it for Cleveland next year.
Eugene Higgins, of Maryland, APP
pointment clerk of the Treasury De-
partment, has been a thorn in the side
of every mugwump in the land ever
since he got his present appointment.
1t is now charged that Higgins has been
interesting himself in claims pending
before the Treasury, especially in one
made by Joe Maddox of Louisiana fame
for $500, 900, it being said that Higgins
is silent partner in the claim. | ven-
ture the prediction that this charge is as
silly as the many others they have made
against Mr.. Higgins. and that he will
be in his present office when the afore-
said mugwumps are dead and forgotten.
1t is more than likely that it is das.
tardly scheme made up by the enemies
of Mr.. Higgins to have him removed.
The Agricultural Department reports
that the present wheat and tobacco
crops will be shorter than for many
years. The Hessian fly, chinch bug
and grasshopper have played havoc
with the wheat in the Northwest,
while in Maryland, Virginia and West
Virginia the joint worm has aided in
reduction of the yield of wheat. One
consolation to be found in this are the
prospects of a slightly better price for
the grain.
An enterprising clerk in the War De.
partment was dismissed the other day
for advertising that for ten dollars he
| toll ~,
ment position. Strange to say he sue.
ceeded in quilting great many people
who want job. When he got an ap-
plication from his victims for informa-
tion he sent them copy of the report
of the Civil Service Commissioners
which costs twenty-five cents.
Mr.. p. V. Dolan, of West Virginia, a
clerk in the Treasury Department, has